Botanical Sketchbooking: A Meditative Approach

Overview

“In this lesson, I will tell you the importance of working from direct observation instead of a photography. A picture is already a filter of reality, it flattens everything and will reduce the colors and scale perceptions. I know that it is more complicated to work from life than from a picture, you would need more practice to be happy with the outcome. But remember that the process is much more important than the final drawing. It is all about contemplation. You first need to observe, to choose your model and to turn around it to define the best point of view. Before starting with fineliner, breath quietly, and visualise the lines, the geometry, the composition on your page. Take your time. To me, botanical illustration is about time. You need to disconnect. The plant is filling all your vision field. You feel the tensions in the stalks, how leaves are searching for light, respecting an intimate distance between each other. Now that you created this sensitive connection between the plant and you, you are ready for the line work. Start with the closest element and mind the proportion and where to draw it on the page to be able to draw all of it. ”

In this video lesson Lapin addresses the topic: Drawing from Observation: Line Work, which is part of the Domestika online course: Botanical Sketchbooking: A Meditative Approach. Slow down and connect with nature by learning how to illustrate plants and flowers using watercolors.

Partial transcription of the video

“Drawing from Observation: Line Work In this lesson we will go deeper into line drawing and create very elaborated drawings from one of the plants. We'll go outdoor to enjoy some natural light. From my experience, when you sketch from a picture it will look artificial, cold, and without any soul in it. You need to get this very personal link with the flower, with the plants. Keep in mind that you're in front of a living being. This plant gets also some sounds, some way to connect with you and try to find this connection. Forget about your mobile phone, just disconnect. Take one hour just for...”

This transcript is automatically generated, so it may contain mistakes.

Course summary for: Botanical Sketchbooking: A Meditative Approach

• Level: Beginner
• 98% positive reviews (1321)
• 62561 students
• 4 units
• 24 lessons (5h 28m)
• 5 downloads

• Category

  Illustration

• Software

  Adobe Photoshop

• Areas

  Botanical Illustration, Drawing, Sketchbook, Sketching, Traditional illustration, Watercolor Painting